Sauna Talk

I want to introduce you to a close friend of mine. I Got know Steve about 20 years ago. Steve has embraced the authentic sauna experience at my island cabin sauna up north through multiple “boys weekends” at least 20 of them in total. Some of the cabin visits have been in winter but most often in the fall when we close up, and in the spring when we open up. Steve has always been a great help and supporter of that process. Cabin maintenance can be a pain in the neck, but with a guy like Steve it’s a it’s a lot of fun. This Sauna Talk episode is significant for me because I want to share with you first hand nuances about building a sauna. I have wanted to document the nuts and bolts of building your own sauna from the casual builder/home owner perspective for some time now. This documentation is independent of and in addition to my e-book Sauna Build, from Start to Finnish. In this episode of Sauna Talk, you will learn firsthand what it takes for an amateur builder to undertake the construction of their own aut

Today the bench we visit with John Breitinger. John is a Minneapolis resident and commercial real estate developer who has been in this field for a while. Currently, John is doing some major consulting work for a large bank. He has a cabin about two hours north east of Minneapolis Saint Paul, Minnesota. This cabin is a very old-school cabin with a few outbuildings. As you will hear described in this episode, one of the buildings on his property is a garage. Built in the 1930s with a lot of character, he got to scratching his head and thinking well this would be an ideal place for an authentic sauna. John’s recently completed sauna build project John is a great photographer. He captured the building of his sauna. Check out this post here. In addition, you’ll see John’s meticulous approach to his sauna building project. Being a commercial real estate developer, John is well familiar with all of the aspects to a project. He leaned into this build with much the same rigor and enthusiasm as with his day job. Yet t

I am excited to share with you this interview with both the founders and the builders of the living, breathing, functioning art sauna project called The Solar Egg Sauna. There are two separate interviews within this episode. First, we hear from the artists and creators behind the Solar Egg Sauna. They are a pair of Swedish artists, known as Bigert and Bergström. During the second part of this podcast, we hear from the two builders. They flew to Minneapolis with the sauna from Sweden. As we sat on the sauna bench, we discover interesting details regarding the construction behind the elaborate project. A working sculpture commission The construction company Riksbyggen. commissioned the Solar Egg Sauna in Kiruna, Sweden in 2007. The company contracted with the artists to build this installation as a conversation piece to raise awareness of the fact that Kiruna, a town of 20,000 people, was to be moved, making way for iron ore mining. Bigert and Bergström are known for thought provoking art pieces surrounding cli

Welcome to this episode of Sauna Talk. Today on the bench we are joined by Omar Ansari, founder and owner of Surly Brewing Company. For those not in Minnesota, Surly Brewing, as of 2018, is reported to be the third largest brewery in Minnesota. Producing 93,000 barrels per year. Surly brewing made the list of top 50 brewers in the United States, and will be knocking their way down on that list, I'm sure. The Surly beer hall and garden, located between downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul is a, well, a very large facility that packs them in and has quickly become a destination point for locals and visitors to the Twin Cities. For those of us in Minnesota, Surly needs no introduction. For example, anyone attending the recent Neil Young concert at the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis, looking around before the lights went down, we could easily identify and loose count of the number of fans sipping from the iconic red and black Surly Furious 16 oz. can. Surly has become part of the fabric of Minnesota. But little know

Today on the bench we have Daniel Wilson. We met in Minneapolis Minnesota in a very cool kind of way. My wife and I were at a coffee shop and Dan popped up and said: “are you Glenn from Sauna Times?” I felt a bit humbled in a movie star kind of way, but he was very gracious about introducing himself and we talked about what an influence Sauna Times has had on his efforts towards building his own backyard sauna in Minneapolis Minnesota USA. Dan and his roommate did a lot of research and learned how to build their own sauna. They focused on the elements with in the e-book “Sauna Build from Start to Finnish” and so at the coffee shop, we decided “let’s get together and sauna sometime, so this is the result of this intention. Dan brought along his girlfriend Omina, and my wife Julia stepped in with us on the bench. As the four of us gathered, we were joined by Brian Peterson photographer from the Minneapolis Star Tribune newspaper. Brian, by the way was a previous guest here on Sauna Talk. He is one of the premie

We first heard John on Sauna Talk from the bench at my cabin sauna, as we were in Northern Minnesota to celebrate Sauna Day 2016.  Then, we heard from John along with fellow 612 Sauna Society Steering Committee members through a separate Sauna Talk episode here.   At that time, we were gathered at JP's apartment to talk through what a member operated sauna co op in Minneapolis can look like and means to each of us. I am happy to welcome John back to Sauna Talk for part 1 of this two part series. Sauna Talk on the bench inside the 612 Sauna Society Sauna This entire episode of Sauna Talk was recorded on the sauna bench inside the 612 Sauna Society Mobile Sauna, which has an extended residency outside The Trailhead, Theodore Wirth Park, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Whether you live in Minneapolis or are visiting, imagine lacing up the cross country skis and trekking through groomed heavily wooded old growth trails, a vibe more akin to 218 (Northern Minnesota area code) vs. 612 (Minneapolis area code).  Yet as you ma

“When you go out of the heat an into the extreme cool, and back from the extreme cool and into the hot, there is something that happens inside your body that is just so satisfying” – Vladimir von Tsurikov. Sauna Talk is pleased to welcome Vladimir von Tsurikov. Director of The Museum of Russian Art (TMORA) in Minneapolis, MN. Vladimir has brought with him a passion for the advancement of Russian Art and Culture, and a strong record of international collaboration.  Over the last ten years he co-organized and co-curated several exhibitions with Russian institutions in Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Yekaterinburg.  Vladimir has published numerous articles and presented dozens of lectures both in the U.S. and Russia. In addition to releasing two research volumes, he has edited five volumes of a scholarly series Readings in Russian Religious Culture and continues to serve on a number of editorial boards. Vladimir also serves on the boards of the Russian Historical Society in the U.S. and the Russian Nobility Associa

“You bring 100 people together and they are all strangers, but in the sauna, you open up because your body is opening up.  And then your mind follows.” “Heat and cold are our great teachers.” -Wim Hof (The “Iceman)  Wim Hof, A Fest, November 2017 I started Saunatimes about 10 years ago, with a vague yet committed intent to share the goodness of authentic sauna with others. I started Sauna Talk podcast a year or so ago.  At that time, I created an “intention” to host three specific guests to Sauna Talk.  I’m very pleased to share with you one of these three guests.  My vision was to be able to bring you this guest to Sauna Talk and here he is. Welcome Wim Hof to Sauna Talk Wim is Dutch.  He was born in 1958.  He is nicknamed “the ice man” and here’s why: Wim Hof holds 26 world records, including a world record for longest ice bath.  Wim describes his ability to withstand extreme cold temperatures as being able to “turn his own thermostat up” through breathing exercises. In February 2009 Wim Hof reached the to

In this episode of Sauna Talk, we get a behind the scenes view of Wisdom Woods, Spooner Wisconsin from Managing Partner Nate Focht. “Sitting on the sauna bench, everything that comes out of your mind is pure.” – Nate Focht, Managing Partner, Wisdom Woods. Ever wondered what a $100,000 sauna looks like?  Well, how about we add another zero to that number and double it.  That’s what we experience while taking a sauna at Wisdom Woods.  The hot room is symmetric and generously sized 12’x12.’  Thankfully, we made the ceiling 7′ such that the wood burning stove can do its job heating the sauna to good temperatures. Transom windows to the South and West plus a full glass door give the hot room a light airy, spacious feel.  The “money seat” is in the middle of the West wall, whereupon the sauna bather can gaze through the full glass door, past the full size exterior window in the hallway straight out to the lake: a wide view .  This treatment is example of how we welcome the outside in at the Wisdom Woods spa.  Natur

“If you haven’t experienced the sauna, you have to do it, because it is a wonderful cleansing, spiritual way of life.” -Paster Dave Pearson We hadn’t yet tossed water on the sauna rocks, when I asked him the question: “So, doing the math, as a Lutheran paster for over 40 years, that’s about 2,000 sermons.” “that’s about right.” “Have you ever mentioned sauna in one of your sermons?” “Well, I’m sure I have mentioned sauna in a few of my sermons.  But I will say this: I have composed many of my sermons in the sauna.  There are a lot of “aha” moments that come from the sauna, just from the conversation that is generated here or just personal meditation.” “I think as a minister, that’s where the spirit dimension of it (sauna) comes in.  We have such a significant responsibility, spiritually, to protect and to preserve and to use our bodies to the maximum extent that we possibly can.” This is Sauna Talk I had the great pleasure recently to be sitting on the sauna bench with Paster Dave Pearson and his wife Judy. D

Imaging checking out from your day job to hit the road with a mobile sauna. Imagine being able to: Share the appreciation of sauna with others. Take a sauna when you want to. See the country. This is the journey native Finn's Risto Sivula and Jouko Sipala will be undertaking soon to help celebrate the centennial year of Finland's independence.  Risto and Jouko are well suited for this duty, and we get to hear why in this episode of Sauna Talk. Jouko (left) and Risto chilling out between rounds during our Sauna Talk podcast Folks will be able to experience Finnish Culture and Finnish Achievements along the tour: Preliminary schedule for traveling sauna tour.   Here is the latest draft schedule: January 13-14 Minneapolis, MN January 23-24 Finland, MN * February 8 Kansas City, MO* February 10-12 Dallas, TX Feb 24-26 Houston, TX Feb 28 Albuquerque, NM* March 1 Phoenix, AZ* March [ ] Los Angeles, CA * March 28-29 San Francisco, CA April [ ] Portland, OR * April [ ] Astoria, OR * April 21-23 Seattle, WA*

Have you ever sat on the sauna bench with someone who has created a product that hundreds of millions of people have experienced? During this episode of Sauna Talk, you will be able to get into the head and mind of serial entrepreneur Scott Olson. Thanks to extended sauna rounds on the bench, we will get deep into Scott’s mindset at the time when inline skating was just an idea. We will learn about what it took to turn a vision into a prototype, then into trial, and finally into a product that you either own or have experienced many times. Polyurethane wheels hold an edge, able to push off, like on ice. The story of Rollerblade is fascinating. What is equally fascinating is Scott Olson’s approach to creative thinking: how to turn ideas into marketable products. These tips can apply to inventors, dreamers, or just anyone looking for a more creative approach to their day.  We will learn more about Scott’s fitness based products. You have to have a lot of confidence to walk into a bar wearing a sarong. Overlyin

Dan Baruch has spent most his life researching and developing methods for health, vitality and performance.  After working with people in-person for over 10 years in nutrition, training, bodywork and other disciplines, he began work on a holistic program for absolute beginners to advanced athletics.  This work now exists through www.baruchealth.com an Online Education platform.   BARUCHealth is a growing organization changing the way people think about health.  BARUCHEALTH provides health based education in Nutrition, Movement, Self-Therapy and Meditation.  The programs create a positive total health experience.  BARUCHealth's mission is to inspire and enable people to practice the most effective and natural ways of achieving greater health, vitality and performance.  BARUCHealth thrives on helping people successfully become superior versions of themselves and transforming students into teachers and one day activists.     Dan was born and raised in Plymouth Minnesota and continues to reside in the twin citie

As Saunatimes expands into the realm of public sweat bathing, there is no better place to start the journey than in Chicago at Chicago Sweatlodge.  This is a well thought out facility offering an authentic banya experience via two hot rooms:  the wet sauna and the dry sauna. The stoves are top notch.  5,000 pounds of rocks in each.  Matter of fact, in summer, Chicago Sweatlodge switches out the rocks once a year.  It takes four days for the rocks to cool down, and even then gloves are needed to take out the old rocks.  Imagine the sweat the workers get switching out the rocks at Chicago Sweatlodge. We experience dense heat at Chicago Sweatlodge. Bill Trotter and I have a great visit and I am pleased to bring you this episode of Sauna Talk.

In this episode of Sauna Talk, we get to hear why six of the 612 Sauna Society Steering Committee members believe in the sauna experience so deeply. In Minneapolis, MN, there is a 2,000 member strong sauna community, called the 612 Sauna Society.  For the past couple years, folks have signed up and gathered for sauna sessions in a mobile sauna.  The mobile sauna was hauled around to "residencies."  While the sauna was parked in public places like brew pub parking lots, frozen urban lakeside shorelines, and along the sidewalk of a downtown city street, our king Sauna Meister JP would organize time slots for 612 Sauna Society participants to partake in their own sauna experiences.  Often this involved taking a sauna with folks they didn't know. People were very receptive to this concept, especially during the frosty cold months December through March. Now, something more magical and substantial is underway.  The 612 Sauna Society Cooperative. The 612 Sauna Society is looking for folks to pledge as foundin

Terry is a career handyman and caretaker. His territory is the islands of Lake Vermilion, Tower, Minnesota.  Terry was brought to Pine Island in diapers.  He endured small stretches of time away from Lake Vermilion, with his family living in Hawaii for a few years and a career with the Duluth News Tribune in Duluth. Yet, primarily, Terry has spent his life on the lake.  He has been an invaluable help to many dozens of Lake Vermilion cabin owners.  His skills as a handyman and builder are infinite.  He has hands in 40-50 different cabin projects.  He manages 40-50 cabins, which includes such tricky annual work as docks in and out, water systems shut down and opened up, plus the myriad of things that come up from roof leaks, to bees nests, to, well, you name it. If you’ve had anything weird go wrong at your home, chances are Terry has encountered exactly this, and many times over Terry, just like myself, has built about a dozen saunas himself.  I’ve learned some tricks from him, and i’d like to think he’s learn

Jeff Hill has lived a few lives: A realtor and property developer for 30 years, mailman for 20 years, 20 years with the Tower fire department, and his latest venture is undertaking a Tiny House Village, USA concept for the Northland. Jeff is well familiar with sauna culture.  Never lock your sauna, experience jumping through a hole in the ice, and try his low blood pressure cocktail for tossing onto sauna rocks.  I picked up Jeff at the mainland public access, and took him by boat to our island cabin in Northern Minnesota.  Jeff came prepared and spent the night at our "insta-cabin". A good sauna session is about relaxing and having fun.  Jeff knows how to do both.  Often outspoken, always with a big heart, please welcome Jeff Hill to Sauna Talk.

It was a warm day in Northern Minnesota.  I hopped into my fishing boat and headed about 5 miles across Lake Vermilion into the river inlet to Tower, Minnesota. Daryl Lamppa picked me up at the dock, and we drove in his pick up truck to his corporate headquarters, a few blocks off Main Street, Tower, Minnesota. Daryl was pretty animated this day.  He was excited to Sauna Talk and shoot the breeze about a day in the life of running a business that has had his family name on the front his entire life. We were able to relax and get into our conversation without distractions or feeling rushed.  Regarding the chemical principle’s of burning wood: “without temperature, none of the reactions go forward”.  And old school sauna stoves that fed from the outside were inefficient in many respects, including the heat from the front part of the stove, that was “wasted to the world.”  I had a great time asking Daryl questions for Sauna Talk: One of the more special parts to this episode of Sauna Talk, was when Daryl told u

Maob, Utah.  The mobile sauna has received official dispensation, and has been trailered up to the summit shelf. The Canyonlands National Park District Director is sitting on the sauna bench to our left.  His hat and uniform hang on a hook in the changing room, where a candle glows softly on the window sill.  The candlelight sheds enough glow for us to see a big smile on his face.  "I'm so glad you guys convinced me to do this!." You are sitting with us for a pre sunrise sauna and the director is telling us stories about the majestic park.  We hit a generous splash of water on the sauna rocks.  We take it all in.  Then we exit the hot room to this: Canyonlands National Park, Moab, Utah. Photo: Justin Evidon     The air is crisp, below freezing, but your body is radiantly warm.  The endorphin rush buzzes, akin to the feeling after your favorite exercise.  You've heard stories and have untangled some wires in your head on the sauna bench and now it's time to let nature do it's magic. Canyonlands Nationa

What's your favorite sweat bath?  "The one I just took, and the one i'm going to take next."  Into sweat bathing and all the variations underneath. Defining what a sweat bath is:  Some kind of a chamber where the air is heated, purpose to induce sweat for bathing. A Finnish style sauna as part of the neighborhood swimming complex at a public space in San Francisco.  North Beach Pool.  It helps create neighborhood and community.  Interacting in a positive, life affirming way. Getting the (neighborhood) block into the sauna instead of the best sauna on the block. Lived and travelled extensively.  Prague, Washington DC, Norway, San Francisco. Sweat in the '70s.  An exciting time for counter cultural views of the world.  Renewed interest in bathing.  Hot Tubs, sweat lodges, saunas.  Wet Magazine.  The tragic tale:  AIDS epidemic.  Shut down public bathing almost overnight.  Mini dark ages of public bathing culture. Today: we are back into the renaissance.  Mikkel had started receiving calls from all over.  A whol